Bali succeeded Virochana as the king of the Asuras, and his reign over the realm was characterized by peace and prosperity. He later expanded his realm, brought the entire world under his benevolent rule, and was able to conquer the underworld and Heaven. This was done by wrestling Indra and the Devas. The Devas approached their patron Vishnu and entreated him to restore their lordship over Heaven.[citation needed]
Shukracharya, the guru and advisor of Bali, advised Bali to perform the Viswajit Yagna (Sacrifice for the Conquest of the World.)
In Heaven, led by Shukra, Bali began the Ashwamedha Yaga at the Narmada River so as to maintain his rule over the three worlds. The ceremony had several Brahmins present, that Bali had invited.Vishnu, meanwhile, adopted the avatar of Vamana, a small Brahmin boy, and, during the rite, approached Bali and requested a grant of land – although only as much land as he could cover with three paces.
Despite the warnings of his advisor, Bali granted this boon. Vamana then grew to an immense size, and, with his first pace, traversed all of the earth and the underworld. With his second pace, he covered Heaven in its entirety. Admitting defeat, and seeing that Vamana has no more room for his last step, Bali offered his own head as a stepping-stone. At this time the asuras spoke out in protest, but Bali explained that all living and non-living things are God's creation, and so it was God's right to have their return. Lord Vishnu put his third foot on Mahabali's head causing him to drown in the netherworld, that is traditionally called Patala. Lord Vishnu, seeing the devotion of Mahabali, blessed him to be the Indra of the next Manvantra.
When Bali Became Pious
Mahabali offering boon to Vamana.
According to the Yoga Vasistha, after inquiring about the realm beyond the universe, heaven, devas and asuras, which is ruled by the mind, Bali thus concentrates on the mind and being satisfied in himself, and teaches the asuras to do so likewise.From then on, he became a devotee.
He is hailed to be a supreme example of the highest and the ultimate Sadhana of Nava Vidha Bhakti, namely Atmanivedanam.
It is believed that Bali was a practitioner of the Raja Yoga.
Battle with Indra and Acquiring Indra's Possessions[edit]
Other versions describing the first battle between Bali and Indra indicate that Bali was not beheaded and that the Brahmin Sukracarya performed the "Mrityu sanjeevani" (wherein only non-beheaded bodies can be revived.)
It is believed in texts such as Abhinanda's Rāmaćarita[21] that Bali had not yet achieved Indra's throne, and as a result was performing the Aswamedha Yagna (which Indian kings have historically performed to enlarge their kingdom) to finally achieve it. He attempted to perform as many as Indra. Then Vamana intervened and in the sacrifice asked for 3 strides of land.
Vishnu Supported Bali to Teach Indra[edit]
According to the Brahma-Vaivarta Puranam, it was Lord Vishnu who positioned Bali in power to curb the pride of Indra.
The Bhagavata Purana reads "He (Vishnu) will take the kingdom away from Purandara (Lord Indra) and give it to Bali Maharaja."
Composition of song: King Mahabali had composed a beautiful song 'Hari Nama Mala Stotram" in honour of Lord Vishnu. Pandit Jasraj has a famous Bhajan by the name of 'Om Namo Bhagwate Vasudevaya' which is this poem.
Shiva Blessed Bali
A Shaiva tradition declares that a rat, by coming into contact with a lamp (and thus making it burn brighter) in a Siva temple was born subsequently as the famous emperor, Mahabali. According to this legend, first Lord Shiva said to his consort Paravati that anyone who would make the "deepa" (lamp) burn brighter would become the ruler of the three worlds.[26] A rat approached it, wanting to drink the ghee (melted butter) but as it attempted to drink, the flame was rekindled into its mouth. Parvati asked Lord Shiva to keep his promise and so Lord Shiva did.
The Skanda Purana, a Shaivite text also reads that Bali worships Shiva everyday.
Bali Bound in Ropes
Although Bali was true to his word on giving whatever Vamana requested, in some legends, he is said to have been bounded with the ropes of Varuna by Garuda since Vamana could not place his foot anywhere on the earth and Bali requested Vamana place it on Bali's own head. In the Bhagavata Purana. Brahma then asks Vamana to release Bali. Bali was released from the ropes and bowed before Vishnu.
According to the Padma Purana, Bali along with his kinsmen, friends and followers were bound.
Bali After Leaving Earth
It is said that Bali attained Moksha by atmanivedanam. Krishna in the Sri Rūpa Gosvāmīs Bhakti-rasāmrta-sindhu says that Bali came to Him or attained Him. According to the Adhatya Ramayana It is also said that Vamana is the guard of the gate of Bali's planet Sutala and will remain so forever. Tulsidas's Ramcharitmanas too declares that Vamana became the Dvarapala (gate-keeper) of Bali. In the Vamana Puranna, it is written that Bali performed the Aswamedha sacrifice in the Kurukshetra, where Bali deprived Indra of his kingdom.
King Bali had only one son named Bana (or Banasura). Bana's daughter Usha married to Aniruddha son of Pradyumna and the grandson of Krishna. She gave birth to Vajra, whose lineage is traced to the royal family of Jaisalmer. Bana is a gotra (clan) of Jats found in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Bundelkhand in India. Banas who formed Bana Kingdom are descendants of King Banasura. Balija`s(Bali+Ja(Born) = Balija) of South India claim that they are descendants of the King Bali.
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